Multiple game table

ABSTRACT

The present invention allows use of three table surfaces. A billiard table, a table tennis table and an air hockey table can be combined into a single piece of furniture. Other table faces such as a dining table, a croquet table, or a poker table can be similarly integrated. The basic furniture geometry includes three rectangular playing surfaces joined at their periphery to form a hollow body having a triangular equilateral cross section supported by a frame.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

The family game room is a place where friends and family gather forplaying games such as billiards, table tennis, and air hockey. Becausemany games require floor space, some family game rooms can only fit oneor two of the games they like to play. Thus, it is desirable to have avariety of games in less floor space.

For space saving benefits, a variety of rotating tables have beeninvented to use both sides of a table surface. The billiard and diningtable combination was invented as early as the 1800's. Heyl in U.S. Pat.No. 122,830 (Jan. 16, 1892) patented and described a reversible billiardand croquet table allowing different games to be played on differentsides of the table. Bensinger in U.S. Pat. No. 211,083 (Jan. 7, 1879)table shows a rotating table surface mounted having a dining tablesurface with an opposite side that is a billiard table surface. Later,other inventors such as Zentner prepared further improvements to therotating billiard table design as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 653,727.

Small board game tables also appear in rotating configurations. A smallgame table having four square playing surfaces is shown in U.S. Pat. No.4,552,362 to Oake where four square playing surfaces form a cube thatrotates on an axis. The small furniture piece allows various people toplay chess, backgammon, and related board games. The small furniturepiece also allows organization of the game pieces. Although desirable,full size game tables combining more than two faces have been difficultto implement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the game table in billiards mode.

FIG. 2 shows the game table in table tennis mode.

FIG. 3 shows the perspective side view of the game table.

FIG. 4 is the side view of the support showing the locking handle andthe frame connection.

FIG. 5 shows a conventional air hockey table having spinning bumpers.

FIG. 6 shows the bottom side of the air hockey table.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the air hockey table.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention allows use of three table surfaces in a singlefurniture piece. A billiard table, a table tennis table with tabletennis net and an air hockey table can be combined into a single pieceof furniture. Other table faces such as a dining table, a croquet table,or a poker table can be similarly integrated. The basic furnituregeometry includes three rectangular playing surfaces 102 joined at theirperiphery to form a hollow body 100 having a triangular equilateralcross section supported by a frame 103.

The playing surfaces 102 are generally rectangular having long sides andshorter ends. The playing surface is horizontal when in use. The playingsurface 102 faces upward in displayed and deployed position, and instowed position faces one hundred twenty degrees from upward whichappears to face somewhat downward. The playing surfaces are joinedtogether at their sides. At each end of the hollow body 101, an endplanar member such as a triangular piece of plywood or plastic joins thethree playing surface 100. These end members are mounted to the frame103. The frame 103 can be formed of a pair of supports 104, eachoptionally connected to the other and supporting the hollow table body.

The frame including the supporting members may have height adjustablesupports that level the table. The end members appear as triangularpieces in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The end members support the table gamesurfaces. Each game table surface can be formed as a tray having adepth. Games such as billiards and air hockey have moving pieces movingacross the surface of a game table. Walls bound the game pieces. Thus,the game tables are recessed and form a tray. As seen in figure one, theinterface between the billiards table game table surface 102 and thestowed clockwise-rotated air hockey table occurs at their tray bottoms.

The frame 103 end members have a triangular rail 200 mounted on abearing wheel 201 attached to the frame 103. The triangular rail 200forms a groove that the bearing wheel 201 travels within. The center ofgravity of the hollow body is below the wheel mounted on the frame 103.The frame 103 supports the wheel. The triangular rail 200 provides threeequilibrium positions.

Before a user changes the position, the user disengages the lockinghandle 300. The locking handle 300 is mounted on the lower portion ofthe frame 103. The locking handle 300 can be mounted to secure one sideof the hollow table body. The table body has three securing points forthree positions, formed as holes for securing the locking handle 300into the proper locking hole 202.

As the table is rotated from a first equilibrium position to a secondequilibrium position, the locking hole changes from the first lockinghole to the second locking hole. The locking holes on the table bodysides rotate in a similar manner as the table. At each of the threeequilibrium positions, the table has an axis of rotation collinear withthe axis of rotation of the bearing wheel. The table is free to swingunless the locking handle is engaged. A user disengages the lockinghandle before rotating the table.

The locking handle 300 can be mounted for linear motion in and out ofthe cylindrical locking hole 202. A spring can bias the locking handle300 into the cylindrical locking hole 202. The locking handle 300 isformed of a connected pin portion and a knob portion. A user may pullthe pin out of the locking hole 202 to rotate the table. The knobportion is shaped so that a user may grasp the knob. The table rotationmay require assistance of another user. One user can pull the pin sothat it disengages from the locking hole 202, the other user may rotatethe table to a different game face.

The locking handle 300 can also be mounted for helical thread motion sothat it can be screwed in and out of the locking hole 202. Washers 301can also be used in between the two sides of the table body for spacing.The locking mechanism can also be implemented by installing a ballbearing catch or other mechanical means is that would allow twopositions for the pin.

The bearing wheel 201 preferably rotates to reduce wear and friction.The bearing wheel rotates about an axis perpendicular to the framesupport members. When the bearing wheel 201 rotates, the wheel travelsinside of the rail that is formed to retain the wheel. The rail has aninside surface and an outside surface. The wheel rides on the outsidesurface of the rail. The outside surface surrounds the inside surface.The inside surface is approximately triangular shaped. The outsidesurface can also be approximately triangular shaped. The outside surfaceis optionally coated with a smooth Teflon wear reducing surface coating.The surface is perpendicular to the pair of supports 104.

The locking holes 202 can be formed of reinforced inserts made of metalinstead of bores in wood or plastic laminate material. An insert havinga metal body and a locking hole sized to receive the locking pin 300 canbe mounted on the sides 101 of the table body.

In figure one, the billiards table is displayed in the deployed positionand the air hockey is displayed in rotated position. The billiards tableincludes a ball return opening mounted on the end members 101. A usercan sink a ball into a pocket and retrieve the ball from the ball returnopening mounted on the end members 101. The ball return opening is flushwith the end member it is mounted upon.

In figure two, the table tennis is displayed in the deployed position.The billiards table is to the right of the table tennis in rotatedposition. Figure one and figure two shows a 120 degrees clockwiserotation from the equilibrium position allowing deployment of thebilliard table, to the equilibrium position allowing deployment of thetable tennis game table. A table tennis net protrudes from the surfaceof the table. The net can be set up by attaching the net to the tablebefore use, and detaching the net from the table after use.Alternatively, the table tennis net can be folded into upright positionbefore use, and folded into a stowed position after use. The stowedposition is parallel to the surface of the table tennis game surface.

Users store air hockey pieces such as pucks, and felted bottom airhockey goalie mallets before disengaging the locking pin. Optionally, anair hockey table fabric elastic cover can be fitted over the air hockeytable surface after use.

The air hockey table can additionally have a spinning bumper 10. Thebumper configuration can be formed on a stand-alone table as shown inFIG. 5. The opposite side of the stand-alone bumper configuration isshown in FIG. 6. A bumper shaped as a circular disk spins on an axlemounted through the perforated air hockey table surface 55. Anelectrical motor 30 mounted to the axle powers the bumper 10 from belowthe air hockey table surface 55. The bottom side shows the electricalconnector 21 for the air fan 20. The bottom side also shows theelectrical connector 31 for the electrical bumper motors 30. The sidecross section shows the shaft between the bumpers 10 and the electricalmotors 30, leading to an electrical connector 31.

The bumper defects the puck when the puck strikes the bumper. Thespinning bumper can receive a variety of surface coatings depending uponthe coefficient of friction desired between the puck and the bumper. Theelectrical motor is easily reversible and the direction of the spin canbe alternated, or changed according to the game desired. The bumper canrandomly remain motionless, and have fast or slow rotation. Optionally,a plurality of switches mounted in the surface of the bumper or thewalls of the air hockey table or the surface of the air hockey table cancreate input for controlling, alternating and changing bumper spin. Thebumper can have rubber surface coating at the side surface that receivescontact with the puck for greater spin reaction when the puck hits thespinning bumper.

A user normally stands at the end of the table so that the user has afield of control including a left side and a right side. The user has agoal to guard while attempting to score on an opposing goal. The goalsstand at opposite ends of the table formed as slots receiving a puckinto the goal. A left and right side wall and a rear wall bound thetable. Each of the left and right and rear walls can be surface coateddepending upon the coefficient of friction desired between the puck andwall. The walls can contain contact switches similar to those used inpinball. The contact switches optionally produce an input to thereversible motors.

The spinning bumper assembly comprising of the bumper portion, the axleand the electrical motor can be mounted on an air hockey table. Whenmore than one table surface is incorporated in a rotating table, thespinning bumper assembly is sized proportionally to the scale of thetable. The puck return 40 is formed as a cavity formed under the airhockey table and having a slot dispensing a puck scored in a goal. Theslot is formed into the end members.

As an alternate simple embodiment, the bearing wheel can be mounted toan axle mounted through the game table body such that the game tablebody can be rotated around a single axis.

This differs from the advanced three axis device. Three equilibriumpositions provide three axis of rotation where each game table positionincludes an axis of rotation that can be used when the locking handle isdisengaged. At each position, the three axis of rotation allow rotationof the table. A single axis does not require the triangular rail suchthat a simple single axis can be maintain the table position accordingto antique traditions. The three axis embodiment is preferable to thesingle axis.

The foregoing describes the preferred embodiments of the invention andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as set forth in the following claims.

CALL OUT LIST OF ELEMENTS

-   10 Spinner Bumper-   20 Fan Motor-   21 Fan Motor Electrical Connector-   30 Spinner Bumper Motor-   31 Spinner Bumper Motor Electrical Connector-   40 Puck Return-   55 Table Surface-   100 Table Body-   101 End of the Hollow Body-   102 Playing Surface-   103 Frame-   104 Support-   200 Triangular Rail-   201 Bearing Wheel-   202 Locking Holes-   300 Locking Handle-   301 Washer

1. A multiple surface game table comprising: a. three game surfaces,each game surface attached to the others at each side to form anequilateral triangular cross sectional table body; b. two end planarmembers supporting each end of the table body; c. a frame formed of apair of support members, each support member supporting the end planarmember portions of the table body at a bearing wheels mounted on thesupport member having free rotation; d. a locking handle engageable intoand disengagable out of any one of the three locking holes positioned onthe end planar member, wherein the engagement of the locking handle intoa locking hole maintains a horizontal game surface and prevents therotation of the table body.
 2. The multiple surface game table of claim1 further comprising: a triangular axle path on each end planar memberhaving a rail outside surface; the bearing wheel riding on the railoutside surface that supports the table body, wherein the triangularaxle path is configured to allow three equilibrium positionscorresponding to the display of each of the three game surfaces.
 3. Themultiple surface game table of claim 1 wherein the game table surfaceincludes a table tennis game surface and a table tennis net.
 4. Themultiple surface game table of claim 1 wherein the game table surfaceincludes an air hockey table.
 5. The multiple surface game table ofclaim 1 wherein the game table surface includes a billiard table.
 6. Themultiple surface game table of claim 1 wherein the game table surfaceincludes a poker table.
 7. A multiple surface game table comprising: a.three game surfaces attached to each other at each side to form anequilateral triangular cross sectional table body; b. two end planarmembers supporting each end of the table body, c. a frame formed of apair of support members, each support member supporting the end planarmember portions of the table body at bearing wheels mounted on thesupport member having free rotation; d. a locking handle engageable intoand disengagable out of any one of the three locking holes positioned onthe end support member, wherein the engagement of the locking handleinto a locking hole maintains a level and stable horizontal game surfaceand prevents the rotation of the table body; e. a triangular axle pathon each end planar member having a axle path outside surface, thebearing wheel riding on the axle path outside surface that supports thetable body, wherein the triangular axle path is configured to allowthree equilibrium positions corresponding to the display of each of thethree game surfaces.
 8. The multiple surface game table of claim 7wherein the game table surface includes a table tennis game surface anda table tennis net.
 9. The multiple surface game table of claim 7wherein the game table surface includes a billiard table.
 10. Themultiple surface game table of claim 7 wherein the game table surfaceincludes a poker table.
 11. The multiple surface game table of claim 7wherein the game table surface includes an air hockey table.
 12. Themultiple surface game table of claim 7 further comprising a spin bumpermounted on the air hockey game table.
 13. An improved air hockey gametable comprising: a spin bumper mounted on the table surface, an axlemounted betwee the spin bumper and bumper motor, the axle protrudingbeneath the surface of the table, the bumper spinning according to therotation of the motor mounted underneath the table.
 14. The improved airhockey game table of claim 13 wherein the bumper motor receives inputscontrolling the speed and direction of the motor.
 15. The improved airhockey game table of claim 13 wherein the bumper is disk shapedappearing circular from a top plan view.
 16. The improved air hockeygame table of claim 13 wherein bumper has rubber surface coating at theside surface that receives contact with the puck.
 17. The improved airhockey game table of claim 13 further comprising: a. three game surfacesattached to each other at each side to form an equilateral triangularcross sectional table body; b. two end planar members supporting eachend of the table body, c. a frame formed of a pair of support members,each support member supporting the end planar member portions of thetable body at bearing wheels mounted on the support member having freerotation; d. a locking handle engageable into and disengagable out ofany one of the three locking holes positioned on the end support member,wherein the engagement of the locking handle into a locking holemaintains a level and stable horizontal game surface and prevents therotation of the table body; e. a triangular axle path on each end planarmember having a axle path outside surface, the bearing wheel riding onthe axle path outside surface that supports the table body, wherein thetriangular axle path is configured to allow three equilibrium positionscorresponding to the display of each of the three game surfaces, whereinthe game table surface includes an air hockey table.